Abstract
If the intended result of marijuana prohibition is to eliminate cannabis and prevent its use, then the efficacy of current marijuana laws can be measured by examining usage trends and changes in public opinion about prohibition.
Examining the Numbers
According to a 2011 study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 18 million individuals in the United States reported that they were “current” marijuana users, which represents around 7% of the population aged 12 and older. When compared with 2007 numbers, the increase is shown to be around 2%, or 14 million individuals (2). These statistics show marijuana to be the most widely used illicit drug in the US, and accounts for around 80% of the nation’s total illicit drug use.
In 1969, Gallup’s first poll on this topic showed that a mere 12% of Americans favored legalization. Today, the same question produces drastically different responses, with 50% of US citizens in favor of legalizing marijuana (3)—this shows a near 40% increase in public support for marijuana legalization. Furthermore, 70% of Americans in a 2010 Gallup survey favored making it legal for doctors to “prescribe marijuana in order to reduce pain and suffering (3)".
Conclusion
Current research shows an increase in both nationwide marijuana use and the percentage of Americans that support reforming current laws. Therefore--when studied with the aforementioned intended results in mind--marijuana prohibition is ultimately ineffective.
Abstract
If the intended result of marijuana prohibition is to eliminate cannabis and prevent its use, then the efficacy of current marijuana laws can be measured by examining usage trends and changes in public opinion about prohibition.
Examining the Numbers
According to a 2011 study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 18 million individuals in the United States reported that they were “current” marijuana users, which represents around 7% of the population aged 12 and older. When compared with 2007 numbers, the increase is shown to be around 2%, or 14 million individuals (2). These statistics show marijuana to be the most widely used illicit drug in the US, and accounts for around 80% of the nation’s total illicit drug use.
In 1969, Gallup’s first poll on this topic showed that a mere 12% of Americans favored legalization. Today, the same question produces drastically different responses, with 50% of US citizens in favor of legalizing marijuana (3)—this shows a near 40% increase in public support for marijuana legalization. Furthermore, 70% of Americans in a 2010 Gallup survey favored making it legal for doctors to “prescribe marijuana in order to reduce pain and suffering (3)".
Conclusion
Current research shows an increase in both nationwide marijuana use and the percentage of Americans that support reforming current laws. Therefore--when studied with the aforementioned intended results in mind--marijuana prohibition is ultimately ineffective.
1. "About Marijuana." NORML.org. NORML Foundation. <http://norml.org/marijuana>.
2. "DrugFacts: Nationwide Trends." Nationwide Trends. National Institute on Drug Abuse. <http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/nationwide-trends>.
3. "Record High." Gallup Politics. Gallup. <http://www.gallup.com/poll/150149/record-high-americans-favor-legalizing-marijuana.aspx>.